An emotional farewell was given to a popular Falmouth priest who performed his last service on Easter Sunday.

Appropriately, it was Easter that saw Father David Smith, of the St Michael and All Angels Church at Penwerris, preside over his last communion service before leaving the church to start a new life of retirement.

He had taken the heartbreaking decision to leave his post after 14 years, after the break-up of his 40-year marriage last October.

Father David's last service saw every pew filled with worshippers, eager to wish him well and thank him for his time as priest for the area.

Barbara Meade, churchwarden, said: "It was very emotional. He will be missed very much. I don't think I've ever worked with such a compassionate vicar before. Everybody says he's so lovely, the way he deals with funerals and weddings and baptisms. I just hope that people in Penwerris, if they want their church to continue, they'll still support us."

The service included an outside Easter egg hunt for the children, while the sermon was taking place, as well as the baptism of David Pridham, a youngster with learning difficulties who has been learning to play the church organ.

At the end of the service, Father David was given a card signed by all the members of the congregation, a cheque for £350 and a book containing old photographs of Falmouth, so that he could remember the area.

Father David said: "It was very nice. I want to thank everybody who in anyway contributed towards Sunday, both in the gifts they gave and all sorts of other things. It was very moving. I would also like to thank everybody I have had any contact with at all in the 14 years I've been here - everyone from all walks of life, not only those that worship but those I know and spoke to in the street, that never came to church but are still my flock."